KZN doctors back at work

KwaZulu-Natal doctors returned to work on Friday morning after downing tools for almost two weeks demanding better pay and improved working conditions.

“We have made a call for the doctors to return to work. We have been told that they are resuming their duties and we will get reports from different hospitals before the end of today [Friday].

“The reports will tell us whether all of them have returned,” said KwaZulu-Natal health minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

On Friday morning he called on all striking doctors, including about 300 fired doctors, to return to work.

Striking doctors agreed to suspend the strike on Thursday after Congress of South African Trade Unions president Sdumo Dlamini promised to make sure fired doctors would be reinstated.

A meeting was held on Thursday night between Dhlomo, Dlamini, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize and doctors’ representatives, where a decision was taken to reinstate all fired doctors.

Dhlomo said the department had rescinded all the letters of dismissal it had issued on Monday. The letters were served after doctors defied a Durban Labour Court interim interdict compelling them to return to work.

Dr Cameron McIntosh and Dr Thandeka Mazibuko, leaders of the KwaZulu-Natal strike, said they were at work on Friday and that doctors had returned to work.—Sapa